How to help

State officials say residents can help their neighbors recover from Hurricane Sandy damage by calling a volunteer emergency response hotline at 1-800-JERSEY-7 (1-800-537-7397).

Depending on the severity of damages, volunteers may be needed to help with a variety of clean-up activities, said Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno in a press release.

“During Hurricane Irene, I saw firsthand how individual New Jerseyans worked selflessly to help others during a crisis. Based on what we learned, we established this volunteer emergency response hotline to enhance our responsiveness during emergencies and better organize volunteers,’’ Guadagno said.

If storm conditions preclude the hotline from being answered by live operators, volunteers may call one of two backup hotline numbers: 609-775-5236 or 908-303-0471. Volunteers may also send an email to rowena.madden@sos.state.nj.us.

Trained volunteers affiliated with an emergency response organization should contact that agency to receive assignments.

The hotline program is managed by the New Jersey Business Action Center and the Governor’s Office of Volunteerism. Both divisions are within the New Jersey Department of State.

Calls placed to the hotline will be received by the Business Action Center, which will work with the Office of Volunteerism and NJ AmeriCorps to match and direct volunteers where help is needed.

Those who need help from volunteers and other services may call 211 or go online at www.nj211.org.